2. ) The Types of stories found in this book are based on Norse Mythology. They contain information on the creation of the Earth, (Midgard), and some of the trials that the gods and goddesses had gone through. 3. ) One of the myths that I enjoyed was the first one on creation, entitled: Creation: The Nine Words. This story tells us how in the beginning there was nothing other than fire, ice, and mist. The land with all the ice was called Niflheim, and the land of fire was Muspell. As time went on, Muspell melted Niflheim, and from that came two giant creatures.
One of them was named Ymir, and he was an evil frost-giant, and the other was a cow named Audumla. Ymir drank Audumla milk to get stronger, and one night, while sleeping, a troll with six heads grew from his feet, and a male and female frost-giant came from his armpit. Audumla also brought something to life, as he licked the salt blocks for food, he recovered another giant. This giant was a good giant, and his name was Buri. His sons and grandsons became gods, because they were very honorable. The greatest of Buri’s grandsons was Odin. Odin was the greatest of all the gods, and he was the god of war and death.
Odin and his wife Frigg, goddess of knowledge, and also knew what happened in the worlds, had many children. Odin was also the one who led his brothers to overthrow Ymir, and they eventually killed him. After killing him, different parts of his body became different parts of nature. His flesh became the world, his blood became the seas, his bones became the mountains, and his hair and teeth became the trees and stones. Now his blood, that made the seas, drowned all but two of the frost-giants, and they repopulated the frost-giants, witches, warlocks, enchanters, and ogres, and taught them to hate Odin.
They lived in Jotunheim. The worms in the Earth, Ymirs flesh, were turned onto dwarves, and the dark elves. The dwarves lived in Nidavellir, and the dark elves lived in Svartalfheim. There were also some nice creatures, and they were the elves, who lived in Alfheim. Odin took Ymirs skull and made it the sky, and places four dwarves in each corner of the sky. Nordri, Sudri, Austri, and Vestri; North, South, East, and West. They put a girl named sun, and a boy named moon into a chariot of fire and placed them in the sky.
Odin took Ymir’s eyebrows and made Midgard, and there he had the humans, which he created from two trees, man from ash tree, and woman from an elm tree, live. The gods left Midgard and crossed the flaming rainbow bridge to a world called Asgard. They built golden halls for the gods and goddesses. Heimdall, a son of Odin, was the watcher of the rainbow bridge, to keep enemies out. He had very good eyesight, and excellent hearing. There were two different kinds of gods back then. There were the Aesir, and the Vanir. The Vanir world was called Vanaheim. Once they went to war, but got tired of fighting, and have been friends since.
The Vanir god, Njord, who ruled the wind and seas, had a daughter and son. His son Frey ruled the rain and sunshine, and daughter, Freya, was the goddess of love. Above all these worlds, was a tree called Yggdrasil, or the World Tree. It is the tree of all life. An eagle watches over it while the deer, and goats eat the leaves. As this happens a squirrel, Ragnarok, carries insults back and forth between the eagle and the serpent, who lives under the tree and gnaws at the roots. There are three main roots that branch off into the worlds. One of them branch off into Mimir’s well, a well that held the magic waters of wisdom and memory.
Hidden in the well was Heimdall’s trumpet. If Heimdall blew on this horn it would mean the end of all earth and the worlds. This is called Ragnarok, total destruction of all nine worlds. The reason why I liked this story is because I liked learning how the creation of earth began. I like reading about the gods forming and the trials that they go through to finish creation. Another reason why I liked this story is because I liked reading how alike Norse mythology is to our world today for example: The dwarves that were sent to each corner of the skies names were related to what they are now.
Nordri, Sudri, Austri, and Vestri; North, South, East, and West. The second story I enjoyed was: Twilight of the Gods. To start this story off, Loki was most dreadfully punished for the death of Balder. For his punishment he was bound to a rock, with the venom, from the serpent fastened above his head, dripping onto his face. Sigyn, the faithful wife of Loki, sat with him, trying to avoid the dripping poison on his face by catching it in a basin. But when she emptied it, the poison would then drip on his face again, and as he withered in pain, the earth shook. But soon, Loki Broke free.
When this happened, he turned completely against the gods, and joined the forces of evil. He steered up a ship and went over seas, sailing with the sons of Hel, and they were joined by all of the monsters of the world. The evil forces together marched against Asgard. When Hiemdall saw the army crossing the rainbow bridge, he grabbed the mighty trumpet (which had never been sounded) and gave it a long, deep blast. All of the gods were awaken by the terrifying sound. The gods of Asgard and their foes met on a huge plain. When Odin attacked wolf Fenrir, wolf devoured him.
When Mighty Thor killed the Midgard Serpent, he fell dead from the serpent’s poison, and Frey lost a battle to the monster Hel. Both Hiemdall and Loki lost to each other; death was from the hands of the other. The mighty tree trembled, the eagle on top of the World Tree screamed in fear, the hot stars fell from the sky to the ground, and the seas flooded onto the lands. All brothers turned on each other for the sake of greed, and terrible storms raged through the nine planets. The sun and the moon were swallowed, the sun by wolf Fenrir, ant the moon by Moon-Hound.
The heaven, earth, and all of the universe were engulfed by flames, and all things – gods, goddess, men, women, elves, monsters, giants, birds, and beasts – died. But then the sun brought forth a daughter, after the nine worlds were consumed by fire, and she was even lovelier then the sun herself. And the earth began to turn green again. The waterfalls flowed in the forests, and the eagle soared again. And some how, a few gods returned to the world of the living, like — Balder, Hod (Balder’s blind twin brother), and Modi, and Magni, Thor’s two sons.
On a sunlit plain of Asgard is where these gods met, and where they talked about time’s mourning. After they talked for a long and loving time, about the past, they returned to live on Heaven, the home of the wind. Also during this terrible destruction of the universe, there were two humans had hid themselves deep within the forest in the world tree. Their names are Life, and Eager-For-Life. The dew of the morning served as their food now when they came out of hiding. A great multitude of children came from these two (Life, and Eager-For Life) and they spread all over the world.
And this was the beginning of a new time, and a new world. I liked this story because it made me think of what is happening in the world today. My old Social Studies teacher once told us that those who don’t know the past are more likely to repeat history, than those who do know, for they know what the out come will be. And I just hope we don’t end up destroying the nine planets, and/or the universe. The Third story that I enjoyed was that of: The Giants Bride. In this story, it tells about how Mighty Thor with the magic hammer which, when was swung, lightning bolts streaked across the sky, was named the God of Thunder.
One morning when Thor awoke, his magic hammer was missing. He then thought Loki was up to his mischief. When Loki assured Thor he did not have his hammer, he said to prove his innocence he would travel the world of frost-giants. After borrowing Freya’s falcon disguise Loki, lifted into the air, setting out far over the nine worlds to the land of giants. When he got there, Loki then found Thrym, the king of giants. He then asks Loki for what reason has he come to his land alone. Loki answers by telling Thrym that he believes that he has Thor’s hammer.
When Thrym answers, he admits to having it and says it is hidden eight miles under the Earth, and he will not give it back, unless Loki gives him Freya for his wife. Loki then flew back to the realm of the gods, and delivered the news to Thor. Then Thor and Loki went to Freya and told her she must marry the giant Thrym, for if she doesn’t, the gods will come to a terrible end. Freya replies with “never. ” Quickly the gods, and goddess were called to a council. They decided that Thor himself must dress in the bridal clothes, and go the land of giants himself.
Thor shocked of this decision argued, but was silenced, for if he didn’t go, the giants would conquer Asgard with his hammer. As Thor’s face grew red, the gods dressed him in a wedding dress, they also placed a pretty cap on his head, Freya’s necklace around his neck, and they hung a women’s house key from his waist. Then, Loki said he would go with Thor as his maidservant and was also dressed in women’s clothing. As soon as Thor hitched his two goats to his chariot the two soared over the mountains to the land of the giants. When Thrym saw them, he cried out “Hearken, giants.
Put straw on the benches! I see my bride is arriving! ” The king of giants then gloated as he escorted Thor from his goat-driven chariot and says, “Gold-horned cattle I have. Jet-black oxen and many gems and jewels I have. You my dear, where the only treasure I did not have – until now. ” When the sun set over the kingdom of Thrym, giants guzzled kegs of ale, and they ate a whole ox. And this whole time Thrym, could not keep his eyes off of his new bride. He then says to his men, “Whoever saw a bride eat so much, or a maiden drink more? Then Loki in a high voice replies with, “My mistress has not eaten in eight days. ” Then as he longs to kiss his bride, he peaks under the veil, and sees red eyes. He screamed, but is quieted when Loki (the servant) says that her mistress has not slept for days, and because her desire for him is so great. Thrym then orders for Thor’s hammer to be brought forth, so he may bless his bride. He orders for it to be to rest on his bride’s knees while they promise their marriage vows to one another. But as soon as the hammer was placed on Thor’s knees, he grabbed it, and began to swing it around.
Thor the Thunder God first killed thrum, and the rest of the giants, one after another. After Thor killed many giants, he and Loki jumped into the chariot and carried the precious hammer back to the land of the gods. The reason why I like this story is because I like to read about people who deserve the lessons that they learn. I mean Thrym deserved what he got because he stole Thor’s hammer, and it was wrong. Another reason why I liked this story is because the men had to dress up and act like women, and that is funny!! 4. ) I disliked the Norse myth: The Fairest Feet.
It starts out when Skadi, daughter of the dead Thiazi, waited for her fathers return. When he heard about his death she got angry and went toward Asgard to find her father’s killer. When she reaches Asgard, Odin apologizes for killing her father, and offers her a gift instead. She says she wants a husband of her choice, and Odin agrees as long as she picks him by his feet. She is in search of Balder, but she picks Njord, and after looking in his eyes, she fell for him. Now neither one of them wanted to move away, so they stayed in the icy mountains for nine nights, and in Odin’s warm sea for three nights.
This is supposed to claim how wintry storms come in he winter for about nine months, and summers for three months. I didn’t like this story because it didn’t have a good story to go with it. I didn’t like how Skadi appeared to be weak and gullible, when she was a strong giantess. I also didn’t like how Odin just thought he would walk all over her by giving her a gift of her choice, I think this also made him look weak. The second story that I disliked was the story of the: Magic Stallion. A stranger came into town, and said that he would build the wall around Asgard, if they would give him the sun, moon, and Freya.
They agreed if he could build it from winter to summer. He also asks if he can have his stallion help him, and Loki says yes. Then he is building the wall and it is three days before summer, and the wall is going to get finished. The other gods told Loki that he had to fix the problem because he said that he could use the Stallion. So Loki had a beautiful mare distract the stallion so the rocks wouldn’t get hauled, and the giant figured this out. He then went in and threatened the gods and Thor hit him in the head and cracked his skull.
I did not like this story, because it didn’t make any sense. The gods were scared because the thought of losing Freya, the sun and the moon, would mean losing a lot, but they made the deal anyway assuming that the giant couldn’t complete the wall by the first day of summer. They didn’t even know what the giant was capable of doing. They didn’t even know if he was strong. And if Loki always got them into trouble before, then why did they let him speak for them? Knowing that he doesn’t make very smart decisions, and yet letting him make them is pretty dumb.
The story that I disliked the most was Thor and the Clay Giant. In the beginning Thor was fighting trolls, and Odin was riding his horse, Sleipnir. Odin rode to the desolate countryside where he came upon Hrungnir, and he was the strongest giant. Odin made a bet that Sleipnir was the fastest horse, and Hrungnir said Goldfax was faster. They races to Asgard and the gods all welcomed Hrungnir. They gave him mead, and soon he had drunk too much. He started to get mean and boastful, saying he was going to take over their kingdom and kill them all.
When Thor returned, Hrungnir was going to fight him. They arranged to meet in Jotunheim, where they would fight. The Giants then made a clay giant, so when Thor struck that one, Hrungnir could get him. When Thor arrived he saw the trick, and Threatened to strike Hrungnir from underground. When he heard this, Hrungnir stood on his shield, and then Thor got him. Thor also got hurt, by Hrungnir’s whetstone, but Hrungnir was killed by Thor’s hammer. I didn’t like this story because like the rest, it didn’t make any sense. Why would a giant think he could beat Thor if Thor has never been beaten?
Thor has killed lots giants, and trolls, so how does one giant think he can fool Thor with a clay giant? If a giant was made of clay, I think Thor would be able to tell it was fake just be looking at it. Giants sure were dumb. Plus in the beginning, I don’t get where Odin was riding Thor’s horse in the first place to even make the bet that his horse was faster than the giants. 5. ) One of the Myths that would make a good movie is The Giants Bride. In this story, it tells about how Mighty Thor with the magic hammer which, when was swung, lightning bolts streaked across the sky, was named the God of Thunder.
One morning when Thor awoke, his magic hammer was missing. He then thought Loki was up to his mischief. When Loki assured Thor he did not have his hammer, he said to prove his innocence he would travel the world of frost-giants. After borrowing Freya’s falcon disguise Loki, lifted into the air, setting out far over the nine worlds to the land of giants. When he got there, Loki then found Thrym, the king of giants. He then asks Loki for what reason has he come to his land alone. Loki answers by telling Thrym that he believes that he has Thor’s hammer.
When Thrym answers, he admits to having it and says it is hidden eight miles under the Earth, and he will not give it back, unless Loki gives him Freya for his wife. Loki then flew back to the realm of the gods, and delivered the news to Thor. Then Thor and Loki went to Freya and told her she must marry the giant Thrym, for if she doesn’t, the gods will come to a terrible end. Freya replies with “never. ” Quickly the gods, and goddess were called to a council. They decided that Thor himself must dress in the bridal clothes, and go the land of giants himself.
Thor shocked of this decision argued, but was silenced, for if he didn’t go, the giants would conquer Asgard with his hammer. As Thor’s face grew red, the gods dressed him in a wedding dress, they also placed a pretty cap on his head, Freya’s necklace around his neck, and they hung a women’s house key from his waist. Then, Loki said he would go with Thor as his maidservant and was also dressed in women’s clothing. As soon as Thor hitched his two goats to his chariot the two soared over the mountains to the land of the giants. When Thrym saw them, he cried out “Hearken, giants.
Put straw on the benches! I see my bride is arriving! ” The king of giants then gloated as he escorted Thor from his goat-driven chariot and says, “Gold-horned cattle I have. Jet-black oxen and many gems and jewels I have. You my dear, where the only treasure I did not have – until now. ” When the sun set over the kingdom of Thrym, giants guzzled kegs of ale, and they ate a whole ox. And this whole time Thrym, could not keep his eyes off of his new bride. He then says to his men, “Whoever saw a bride eat so much, or a maiden drink more? Then Loki in a high voice replies with, “My mistress has not eaten in eight days. ” Then as he longs to kiss his bride, he peaks under the veil, and sees red eyes. He screamed, but is quieted when Loki (the servant) says that her mistress has not slept for days, and because her desire for him is so great. Thrym then orders for Thor’s hammer to be brought forth, so he may bless his bride. He orders for it to be to rest on his bride’s knees while they promise their marriage vows to one another. But as soon as the hammer was placed on Thor’s knees, he grabbed it, and began to swing it around.
Thor the Thunder God first killed thrum, and the rest of the giants, one after another. After Thor killed many giants, he and Loki jumped into the chariot and carried the precious hammer back to the land of the gods. For the main characters, I would cast Loki, Thor, Freya and of course Thrym. I would have Asgard be a town where their kingdom was, and Jotunheim would be a place where no one dared to go, in the woods. It would be more of a comedy film, because Thor (Brad Pitt) would be dressing up as a woman, and so would Loki (Ben Affleck).
Instead of having Loki be a trickster, I would have him be an unlucky god. Everywhere he went, trouble would follow. He also would be a very clumsy, and not so bright god, knocking things over, and getting them into near death experiences. Freya, (Julia Roberts), would have been kidnapped by Thyrm. She would be a very beautiful god, but she would be stubborn and have a temper. She blames her being kidnapped on Thor and Loki. Thyrm,(Adam Sandler), would be a comedian figure, who kidnaps Freya in exchange for Thor’s hammer.
On the day of the wedding, Thor and Loki would find Thrym’s hid-out, and rescue Freya, although someone would still have to walk down the isle. Thor agrees to do it, and when Thrym sees who he is, Loki and Freya are safely hidden. In the end Thrym does not die, but after getting hit by Thor’s hammer, has the mind of a four year old. Thor, Loki, and Freya go back to their kingdom where Thor and Freya get married. I think the only thing that would be difficult in this production is getting Adam Sandler to look like a big ugly giant, but other than that it would just be fun!
